On the relationship between cmp and def for separable metrizable spaces (Q2566831)

Only separable and metrizable spaces are considered. Suppose that a space \(X\) has a compactification \(Y\) such that dim\((Y\setminus X)<\infty\). Then one defines the compactness deficiency, def\,\(X\), to be the least integer \(n\) for which \(X\) has a compactification \(Y\) with dim\((Y\setminus X)\leq n\). The author is concerned with the relations among cmp\,\(X\), Cmp\,\(X\), and def\,\(X\) for spaces \(X\). A space is called rim-compact if it has a base of open sets with compact boundaries. The respective small and large inductive compactness degrees, cmp and Cmp, were defined by de Groot as generalizations of rim-compactness. Recall that: \flushpar(i) cmp\,\(X=-1\) if and only if \(X\) is compact, and \flushpar(ii) cmp\,\(X\leq n\,\, (n\geq 0)\) if every point of \(X\) has arbitrarily small neighborhoods \(U\) with cmp\,Bd\,\(U\leq n-1\). Also remember that: (i*) Cmp\,\(X=\) cmp\,\(X\) if \(X\) is rim-compact, and (ii*) Cmp\,\(X<n\,\,(n\geq 1)\) if every closed subset of \(X\) has arbitrarily small neighborhoods \(U\) with Cmp\,Bd\,\(U\leq n-1\). It is known that cmp\,\(X\leq\) Cmp\,\(X\leq\) def\,\(X\) for all \(X\). Although it was once conjectured by de Groot that cmp\,\(X=\) def\,\(X\), \textit{R. Pol} [Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci. 30, 461--464 (1982; Zbl 0539.54026)] constructed a space \(P\) with cmp\,\(P=1<\) Cmp\,\(P=\) def\,\(P=2\). It was later shown that for every positive integer \(n\), there exists a space \(X\) such that def\,\(X-\) cmp\,\(X=n\). The main result of this paper, Theorem 1, sharpens this result. \textbf{Theorem 1} For each pair of positive integers \(k\) and \(m\) with \(k\leq m\), there exists a separable metrizable space \(X(k,m)\) such that cmp\,\(X(k,m)=k\) and Cmp\,\(X(k,m)=\) def\,\(X(k,m)=m\).